Rumors of War

FARS:

Senior MP Urges Gov't to React against Dispatch of Saudi Forces to Bahrain

TEHRAN (FNA)- A senior Iranian legislator called on the foreign ministry to show firm reaction against deployment of Saudi military forces in Bahrain and take strong stances and measures in defense of the rights and independence of the Bahraini people.

"The foreign ministry should take a strong position against the dispatch of the Saudi forces to Bahrain" and defend the people's move and rule over the country, Mostafa Kavakebian said in an open session of the parliament on Tuesday.

He also urged Iran's diplomacy apparatus to devise plans and avoid adopting a passive policy on the growing wave of the Islamic awakening in the region to diminish the chances of success of the hegemonic powers in their plans for stopping or derailing the current revolutions.

His remarks came after Saudi Arabia sent more than 1,000 Saudi soldiers into Bahrain amidst widespread antigovernment protests.

The Saudi military forces in tanks and armored personnel carriers crossed the 16-mile causeway into the tiny island kingdom of Bahrain.

Persian Gulf Cooperation Council states, by contrast, moved quickly in response to a request from Bahrain's ruling al-Khalifa family to dispatch the first deployment of Arab troops across national borders since a revolt in Tunisia in December sparked unrest across the Arab world.

Earlier today, Iran's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned the Swiss and Saudi ambassadors to Tehran to protest at Riyadh's military intervention in Bahrain and Washington's support for the move.

Switzerland takes care of the US interests in Iran in absence of diplomatic ties.

The United States, which has its Fifth Fleet based in tiny Arab Persian Gulf monarchy, has declined to call the Saudi troops' deployment in Bahrain as incursion and has voiced support for the Riyadh's military intervention in the internal affairs of Bahrain.

The Islamic Republic also summoned Bahrain's charge d'affaires in Tehran over the recent developments.

Also, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi had earlier this week called on the Bahraini government and authorities to exercise self-restraint and avoid use of violence against protestors in the country.

"The Bahraini government is expected to approach people's demands with the needed insight and respect the people's right of pursuing their demands through peaceful methods," Salehi said.